CLOSED down community centre Bankfield House has become a target for arsonists.

Protesters lost their battle with the Church of England over closure of the Garston site

Since then yobs have broken into the empty premises and vandalised the building.

Firefighters have been called four times in the last 10 days and the inside of the centre has suffered substantial damage.

Bankfield House supporters say they warned it would come under attack if closed.

And they are laying the blame squarely at the door of Church officials for a 'lack of security'.

A spokeswoman for Bankfield House Supporters Association said: "They told us a state-ofthe- art alarm system would be fitted to ward off gangs, but they're helping themselves."

The campaigners, who staged a 10-week sit-in were taken to court when they refused to budge.

They are now demanding thousands of pounds back which was raised during the desperate fight to keep the centre open.

The Bankfield House Supporters Association spokeswoman added: "We raised #6,000 to try and keep us open.

"Where's that money gone now?"

Bob Metcalfe, of the parochial church council, and a member of the Bankfield House trustees, said: "The trustees are discussing options to carry on the work of Bankfield House elsewhere and any money will be used to promote community interests."